USA "LGBTQ in Salinas" Jay Dunn

69 images Created 23 Nov 2015

While you’d be hard-pressed to find a gay or lesbian bar labelled as such in conservative Salinas, the city’s young, open-minded, social-media savvy citizens are growing up into an age of tolerance. There is a scene here, it’s just fairly discreet.

One of the most remarkable things about the crowning of Angie Esteban, Salinas High’s transgender prom queen this year, was what little fuss was made of the fact beforehand. For these students, and for many who live here, acceptance of diversity is just not a big deal.

This photo gallery represents only a few moments of inspiration among the LGBTQ community in the Salinas Valley. Powered by enthusiasm and a collective camaraderie few can match, local group Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations has put on numerous entertaining events that “unite people of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexual and gender identities in celebration of our diversity.”